The Portagers are closing in quickly on their team record of 161, eagerly working at smashing through to a new record.

 

Levi Capper and Drew Griswold smile for the camera on their long walk from the 6th green to the 7th tee at the Heathlands.  Levi shot a 39 to be the match medalist while Drew shot a 41.  (photos on Left and Right)

Onekama and Benzie Central
April 24, 2008

    Thursday's match against the Husky's with a win and score of 165- 178 had the team in a buzz at the club house about what needs to be achieved for that to happen. Each of them came to Coach Zadow, score card in hand, explaining where they need more work and fine tuning. Getting out of bunkers, what club to use in that situation, more putting time, were just some of the concerns I overheard.
    Levi Capper was the match medalist and team lowman today at the Heathland's. Levi's Birdie on the 4th gave him a final card of 39 to Benzie's Sam Hahn's score of 40. Jake Matthews shot a Birdie on the 4th as well and turned in a final score of 40. Drew Griswold Birdied the 3rd and 6th holes to bounce back with a final of 41. Freshman Brenner Johnson shooting a 45 for the 3rd time in a row in competition, rounded out the scoring four that wrapped up the team effort and win of 165.
    Josh Cebula shot a personal best of 47, Chase Callaway turned in 53, Cody Sievert shot his way to a personal best shooting 49 and Derek Hobart turned in 58. Paul Cunningham found himself in another couple of side challenges with teammates Mike Swanson and Tabitha Bellinger. Tabitha now owes Coach Zadow another ball, hopefully not one of those colored balls, as she let Paul edge past her with Paul shooting 74 to Tabitha's 76. However, Paul had to pay up his ball to Mike Swanson, when Mike turned in a score of 69.

     Usually, there are enough natural hazards to worry about while on the course. But, what do you do when a dog runs up, grabs your ball where it lies and runs off with it?! Dogs have been known to swallow golf balls like candy. Would you ever see that ball again? This is exactly what happen to Paul Cunningham today on the 13th hole.  According to Paul,  his drive off the tee was "perfect". His second shot landed by the approaching bunker, still no problem. Then, out of seemingly nowhere, a black dog ran up, snatched up Paul's ball in it's ball hungry mouth and ran away with it! Paul watched helplessly as his ball disappeared in leaps and bounds. As Paul's playing partners looked on, Paul shot a provisional ball and the group played on still wondering about the odds of something like that ever happening again. We soon found out, that yes, stranger things have happened, and it happened to Coach Zadow. A COW, yes a  cow, ate one of Coach Zadow's golf balls when she was just 8 or 9 years old. She too, watched helplessly as a cow meandered up to her ball, slurped it down and walked away. While she opted to NOT wait around to retrieve her ball, Paul on the other hand was able to finally retrieve his ball as the K-9 took it home and dropped it in his own yard. One can only wonder, does this dog collect balls for his owner, or was he just hoping and waiting for someone to send it flying again so he could retrieve it one more time.
     So, while the match got off to a late start due to bus "worries" by Benzie, winds were fairly stiff, and there was a ball stealing dog on the course ,all in all it was a grand day once again for the Portager Golf team who notch another win in the belts. Thank you Shelli Griswold for taking photos of this match.
~Gwen Smith

Jake Matthews follows the flight of Brenner Johnson’s approach shot.  Jake shot a personal best score of 40 at the Heathlands during competition with Benzie Central.  Brenner repeated his personal best score of 45 for a third time.

 Drew Griswold demonstrates the proper form when exploding a shot from the sand.  Apparently the explosion caused his shirt tale to become dislodged from its proper position from within his khakis.

Brenner Johnson prepares to load his bag onto his shoulder to make his way to the green while a Benzie Central player appears in the background.

Chase Callaway and Josh Cebula simultaneously mark their golf balls on the 9th green for the opposing Benzie Central players. Josh shot a personal best score of 47

April 2008
Photos by Sheli Griswold

 Skylar Kimpel playing with his newly extended length golf clubs completes his tee shot on the 14th hole.  Skylar participated in his first high school home golf match of the 2008 golf season

Zach Yonkers hits 8-iron into the 10th green during his first high school home golf match of the 2008 golf season.  Although, Zach took a triple bogey on the first hole of play, he went on to post a personal best of 56.

 Ricky Superczynski makes his third shot into the 11th green at the Heathlands during his first high school home golf match of the 2008 golf season.  Ricky shot par for twice the number of holes played.

 Andy Allen, making a fashion statement while sporting his trooper sunglasses, to show that not all golf games are boring. He makes his way down the 10th fairway at the Heathlands during his first high school home golf match of the 2008 golf season. Andy did very well for his first match at home and plans to continue to improve on his personal best.

 

  Tabitha Bellinger stands with arms crossed watching a teammate tee off on the 18th hole.  Her body language indicates disapproval of her play to this point in the match.  Tabitha found herself playing from the trees too much.

 Paul Cunningham swings a short iron on the par 4 11th hole at the Heathlands.  This action occurred before Paul made his approach shot to the 13th green where a dog emerged from a neighboring house to lift and run off with Paul’s golf ball.  Paul doesn’t even know the name of the assailant. We’ve heard that Paul does not intend to hold a grudge and may even wish to be friends with the golf ball bandit.

Mike Swanson looks back over his shoulder awaiting a fellow golfer’s approach shot to the 11th green.  Mike went on to post his first 9 hole score on the Heathlands for the 2008 golf season.

Derek Hobart tees off of the 3rd hole. He shot a triple bogey. Derek, the team manager, did fairly well with his first home golf match of the 2008 season and hopes to improve to the level of the top 6 players.

Cody Sievert drives off the 6th tee. Cody hit his driver well all afternoon long, giving him an opportunity to shoot a personal best score of 49.
April 2008
Photos by Sheli Griswold